Coverage of CFS Within U.S. Medical Schools Lacking, Study Finds

Editor's Comment: The survey used for this study asked medical school representatives: 1) to identify whether clinical treatment for CFS was offered, and if yes, which (if any) faculty members were considered experts in treating CFS, 2) to identify any significant CFS research (current projects or papers published) taking place within the confines of the school, and 3) to describe the extent of CFS coverage and instruction within the medical schools’ curricula. A total of 21 schools offered clinical care, and a total of 20 schools included ME/CFS in their curricula. Only 11 schools had published papers on ME/CFS.

Little is known about the extent to which chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is covered within medical schools in the United States (U.S.) The current study is an exploration of the extent that CFS is covered in the areas of treatment, research, and curricula in U.S. Medical Schools.

Surveys were sent to personnel at 132 accredited U.S. medical schools and a total of 71 schools responded. The extent of coverage across the three domains was extremely limited. Only 29.6% of schools met the clinical criterion, 28.2% met the curricula criterion, and 15% met the research criterion. Only four of the 71 (5.6%) responding schools met criteria for all three domains.

While the current study is preliminary, it points to significant gaps in the coverage of CFS among medical institutions, which is likely impacting the ability of physicians to fully acknowledge, understand, effectively treat, and find a cure for CFS.